AUTHOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the 3rd installment of my Monk Family Series. If you are new to this series, it is recommended (but not required) that you read my first two stories, Mr. Monk and the Miracle of Adoption and Mr. Monk and the Sins of the Father before you begin this one. For those of you who are returning, welcome back! Thank you so much for continuing on this journey with me, and a special thanks to those who took the extra time to leave reviews for the first two stories. I would love to hear from you again, and if you haven't reviewed before, please do. I LOVE to hear from my readers! Please join me now for another Monk family adventure. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

August 20, 2011

Adrian and Natalie Monk drove south along Highway 1, with its tightly curving road and sheer drop-offs. It wasn't long before Natalie could see Adrian tensing, and she knew the height of the cliffs and the crashing ocean below were beginning to take their toll on his nerves. As much as he had improved, this was pushing things, and she was thankful for his willingness to stretch himself simply for her pleasure. Natalie placed her hand on Adrian's leg, giving it a gentle squeeze. He looked over and smiled the smile she loved so much. Even after a full year of marriage, that look could still make her weak-kneed.

Adrian felt his body relax at the touch of her hand, his fear of heights not magically cured, but somehow made more manageable. He didn't quite understand it, but her presence and especially her touch always had a calming effect on him, making him feel as if he could do almost anything, even conquer the fears that constantly plagued him. Oddly, the touch of most people made him tense and anxious, but Natalie's never had. He glanced over at his wife, and once again felt like the luckiest man in the world. When he lost Trudy, he never dreamed he would find love again, and frankly, he didn't even want to for a long time, happy to be what his name implied. The fear of losing again was greater than the desire to love again, and yet somehow, this special woman had found her way into his life and into his heart.

The Monks completed the two-and-a-half-hour drive south to Big Sur. Adrian had found a cottage there on a cliff, overlooking the Pacific, where they would stay for the remainder of the weekend. After surveying the stunning view they would be treated to, they made their way inside.

The cozy cottage boasted a wall of windows overlooking the vast ocean below. The late morning sunlight poured in and reflected off the white walls, giving the space a cheery feel. There was a comfortable living room and a small, but modern kitchen with a breakfast nook. Ten identical, red roses sat in a vase on the table. Beyond the kitchen, they could see a bedroom with a large, plush bed and an ensuite.

"How did you find something so perfect?" Natalie asked, smiling at her husband.

"Well, finding things is something I'm good at," he said with a wink.

She laughed, encircling her arms around his waist. "Well, you may be good at finding things, Mr. Monk, but I got the guy this time."

"And he's all yours," he said with a chuckle. "Happy anniversary, sweetheart."

"Happy anniversary, darling. I love you."

They spent the rest of the morning and afternoon staying close to the cottage, simply enjoying each other's company and the splendor of the view. After the last supper dish was washed, Adrian dried his hands and walked over to the gas fireplace. He turned it on, then joined Natalie on the loveseat. She smiled and scooted closer to him, curling her legs under herself and resting her head on his shoulder.

"That was delicious, babe. Thank you."

He kissed her forehead. "You're welcome. I like cooking for you."

She lifted her head and looked at him. "You did save room for my cheesecake, didn't you?"

"Absolutely. I thought we could have that a little later with the sparkling cider."

Natalie smiled and put her hand on her stomach. "No real champagne this time."

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be. It's well worth it."

She laid her head back against his shoulder and he caressed her arm as they sat in companionable silence, allowing the warmth of the fire to wash over them while they listened to the crash of the surf below. After a while, Natalie lifted her head and looked at her husband. He gazed into the flames with an expression she couldn't quite interpret. He looked happy, but it was more than that. Contentment perhaps?

She touched his cheek. "A penny for your thoughts."

"How did I get here, Natalie?"

She laughed. "Well, we got in the car and drove…."

"You know what I mean."

"How are we celebrating one year of marriage already?"

"Yes, and how am I, of all people, married to the most incredible woman and the father of two with another on the way? I'm supposed to be alone and miserable, aren't I?"

"Who says that's what you are supposed to be?"

He looked back into the fire and his forehead wrinkled as he pondered the question. "No one has ever said it exactly. I think it's just what people expected. They never expected me to find love in the first place, yet a second time. I suppose I never expected it."

She turned his head towards her and kissed him soundly. Then, she pulled back and looked into his dark eyes. "I love you with all my heart, and you deserve every bit of it and more."

"When did you first know you loved me? Was it when you thought Leland had killed me?"

She frowned a little before her smile returned. "That's when I knew I was in love with you. I knew because I felt the same way I felt when I lost Mitch. A part of my heart was dead too. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to go on living. That's why I had to see you once I found out you were alive…sorry for almost getting us killed, by the way."

"Well, it all worked out. So, that's when you knew?"

"Yes, that's when I knew I was in love with you, but I was attracted to you far earlier. I just wouldn't admit it to myself for a while."

"So, when did you have those first feelings of attraction, hmm?" He asked with a twinkle in his eye.

She watched the flames flicker for a moment, then turned to face him. "I think it was when you saved me from that dump truck, then cleaned my face. I mean what woman wouldn't be at least a little attracted to her knight in shining armor, but it was more than that. I knew you were handsome, brilliant, dedicated, but I saw another side of you that day, and I couldn't unsee it. Then, the better I got to know you, the stronger the feelings became."

He pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "Only you, Natalie. Only you could have seen those things back then."

She took his hand and entwined their fingers. "So tell me, I know it wasn't until after you solved Trudy's murder that you admitted you were in love with me but was there any hint of a feeling before then?"

He was quiet for a moment, then brought her hand to his lips. "I knew you were beautiful from the moment we met, but by the end of that first investigation, I also knew you were smart and very special. I couldn't put a finger on why, but I knew I couldn't let you get away. That's why I offered you the job. I just wish I had treated you like you deserved."

She squeezed his hand. "You were hurting. I understood." She tilted her head. "Did my being a widow have anything to do with your wanting to hire me?"

"It wasn't because I felt sorry for you if that's what you're getting at, but I knew it helped you understand me in a way few others could, so I suppose it did if I'm being honest."

"And there was nothing more until after you solved Trudy's murder?"

"What do you mean?"

Her eyes were twinkling now. "Well, you just started acting a little differently shortly before that. I know we had become very good friends by then, but I always wondered if there was more."

"Like what?"

"Well, do you remember when you were posing as Frankie DePalma and Lola was coming on to you? You told her you had a girlfriend so she would leave you alone, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, do you know how shocked I was when you said my name instead of Trudy's? You said your girlfriend's name was Natalie."

"Um yeah, I don't know why I said your name. I panicked and yours was the first name that popped into my head."

"Mmm hmm, well how about when you fed me that piece of birthday cake off your fork? There's no way you would have done that a few years earlier."

"I was just so happy, sweetheart. I couldn't believe you had done all that for me. I…I guess I wasn't thinking."

"Well, how about when you rescued me from that ambulance when that voodoo lady was going to kill me?"

"What about it? Even if I wasn't in love with you, I cared deeply for you. I wasn't going to let her kill you."

"Yeah," she said, inching closer to him, "but you pulled me out of there and held onto me tighter than you ever had before."

He cleared his throat as his cheeks turned pink. "Like I said, I cared."

"Okay," she said, kissing his cheek, then his neck, "but what about when Sharona came back?"

"What about that?"

She moved into his lap and fingered a button on his shirt. "Do you remember the morning Sharona showed up and she helped you clean that vacuum cleaner dirt off your face?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember what you did when I walked in?"

"No, not really."

"You jumped and explained as fast as you could that she was just helping you clean up, and it wasn't what it looked like. Now, why do you think I would have cared, even if it had been something else?"

"I…I don't know."

She looked him squarely in the eyes. "Adrian, do you know why I turned Steven down when he asked me to move back east with him?"

He looked down. "You…you loved me?"

"Yes, but when I started dating Steven, I had almost given up on you ever loving me in return. Then, all those things happened and more. At the time, I wondered if I was imagining things, but I felt a shift in our relationship. Then, when you were reinstated to the force, I can't tell you how much I missed you those few days we were apart."

"I missed you too," he said.

"Well, I said no to Steven because I thought maybe, just maybe you had feelings too, and I wanted to stay and find out. So tell me, was I wrong?"

He touched her cheek and stroked it with his thumb. "No Natalie, you weren't wrong. I loved you, even then. I…I just couldn't."

"I know. That's why I waited." She wrapped her arms around his neck, then leaned up until her lips met his in a fiery kiss. "That's the kiss I really wanted to give you when I found you in Nevada."

He pulled back just enough to find her eyes. "I love you. I loved you then. I love you now, and I will love you the rest of my days."

The next morning offered bright sunshine and gentle breezes, which blew the sheer curtains on the open bedroom windows. Natalie opened her eyes just in time to see Adrian come through the door, carrying a tray laden with food, the mouthwatering aroma wafting across the room. As he came closer, she could see he had made coffee with bacon and pancakes, square of course. She smiled when she noticed he had also included her prenatal vitamins, along with their food.

Natalie hungrily tucked into the breakfast. Swallowing, she looked up. "This is delicious, but you should have woken me. I could have helped."

"No, no sweetheart. You need your sleep. Doctor's orders."

She fed Adrian a bite of her pancakes. "Thank you, but you need to quit worrying about me and the baby so much. We're doing just fine."

"It's my job to take care of you," he said. "Now don't forget your vitamins.

After they finished eating, Adrian removed the tray and laid on his side, propping himself on his elbow. As they talked and laughed, he marveled at the woman before him. At seventeen weeks pregnant, she was barely showing, but a lovely glow now radiated from her face. He could have stayed there all day, simply looking at and listening to her, but he knew they really should take advantage of their picturesque location and get some fresh air.

Getting off the bed, Adrian asked, "Sweetheart, what would you think of going out for a scenic drive and a picnic?"

Natalie hopped out of bed. "What a great idea, but are you sure? You know there will be sand, don't you?" Her green eyes danced.

"The doctor said walks are good for you and besides, I brought my sand shoes."

Natalie reached up to tug the collar of his robe. "It sounds wonderful, but we aren't in any hurry are we?"

"I suppose not. What do you have in mind, Mrs. Monk? Do you want to help me clean the kitchen?"

"Maybe later," she said with a laugh, "but first, I plan to take advantage of the situation?"

A slow smile spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "And what situation is that, sweetheart?"

She ran her fingers through his hair and returned his smile with a seductive one of her own. "I don't have to worry about the phone ringing to tell us that someone has been murdered. No one is going to ask you to come to investigate. We aren't chasing a toddler or a suspect, and no one is chasing us…"

He interrupted her with a kiss, then brushed her hair away from her face before looking deeply into her eyes. "You are the only thing I want to investigate today, my love."

A short while later, a freshly showered Natalie entered the kitchen to find her husband happily whistling while cleaning up from breakfast. She smiled at how handsome he looked in his cotton chinos and casual pullover, something he would have never worn a short time back. She walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head against his back. They stayed that way for a few minutes, just swaying to the rhythm of his little tune.

Adrian finally turned, taking his beloved into his arms.

"You sure seem happy," said Natalie.

"How could I not be happy? I'm married to the woman of my dreams."

Natalie smiled to herself as she helped Adrian pack their picnic lunch. Her heart swelled with love for the man bustling around her. Her Mr. Monk had always been special to her, but at times like this, she could hardly believe he was the same man she had agreed to work for some eight years earlier.

They left the cottage and drove along the coast before finding a scenic turn-off where they decided to eat their picnic on the top of a grassy hill. After a leisurely time of eating, talking, and watching a family play on the sand below, Natalie looked at Adrian. "How about a walk before we head back?" She pointed to an opening in the rocks. "I think there's a trail over there."

Adrian agreed and told her to go ahead while he put their things back in the car and changed into his sand shoes. After doing so, he turned back toward the path. He stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of Natalie looking out across the water. The breeze tousled her blonde hair and her lightweight, summer dress clung to her slender figure, her stomach just beginning to swell with the growth of their baby. He sighed and shook his head. She was breathtaking, and she was his. He made his way down the path. Joining her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and settled his hand over her small bump.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she said, leaning into his strong embrace. They looked out across the never-ending blue of sea and sky, basking in the warmth of the sun.

After a while, Adrian leaned down and nuzzled Natalie's soft neck. "This has been the best year of my life."

"Me too, without a doubt. What were we even doing at this time a year ago?"

He looked at his watch. "Well, I think I was nervously pacing around waiting for the ceremony to begin."

She laughed. "I was getting ready with the girls while my mother barked orders at everyone in sight, but I didn't care about a perfect wedding. I could only think of one thing."

"And what was that?" he whispered against her ear before kissing her cheek.

She turned in his arms. "All I cared about was walking down the aisle and becoming your wife. It wouldn't have mattered if the building had fallen down around us as long as we were married."

Adrian thought he was very glad the building hadn't fallen down because that would have been a very messy situation, but he was wise enough to not voice his thought and interrupt his wife's trip down memory lane.

"You were so beautiful," he said. "When you first came through those doors, it was all I could do to keep myself from running down that aisle and taking you in my arms."

"The look on your face when you saw me was one of the best moments of my life.

"There have been so many special moments this year," he said, placing his hand on her cheek and kissing her.

"So what do you hope for this next year?" she asked, looking up at him.

"You mean besides a good pregnancy and a happy, healthy baby?"

"I do suppose that will occupy most of our time and thoughts for a while." She noticed he had grown more serious. "You aren't worried are you?"

He sighed as he looked over her head at the ocean beyond. "I try not to, Natalie, but I do. I didn't even realize how many things could go wrong."

"You've been reading too much."

"I know, but.…"

"I'm healthy. The baby's healthy. Everything has been good so far, great actually."

"I know."

"Adrian," Natalie said, placing her hands on his chest. "I know fear is something you deal with on a daily basis, whether anyone else would call it rational or not, but please try not to worry about this. I want you to enjoy this time as much as I am." She touched his cheek. "Okay?"

He nodded then pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest. They held each other close, neither wanting the moment to end, as they knew the day was winding down and tomorrow would mean leaving their little cottage. They loved their home and their daughters waiting there, but times like this were rare, and once the new baby came, would be rarer still. If only they could slow time for just a few minutes. Natalie quieted her mind so she could memorize everything in a way she wouldn't forget: the warm sunshine on her face, the breeze in her hair, Adrian's arms around her, and his heartbeat below her ear. It was sheer bliss. Then, in the still quiet, she noticed a sensation in her stomach…a gentle bubbling. At first, she ignored it, but it happened again. This time, she realized it was lower, deeper, and more of a flutter.

"Adrian!" She pulled away from him and placed her hand on her belly.

Startled, he reached for her. "What's wrong?"

Natalie looked up. "It's the baby. I felt him move!"

"Are you sure?" he asked, placing his own hand over hers.

She nodded as a smile spread across her face. "It's been a long time since I was pregnant with Julie, but I remember this feeling. It's unmistakable."

He pulled her back into his embrace. "Another special moment, sweetheart, and so many more to come."

Back in San Francisco, Hero, Jack Monk's golden retriever, lay next to his best friend, Peaches, a border collie. Sophia Monk sat between them, scratching their ears, her dark curls clinging to her sweaty brow after their game of fetch. The dogs alternated between panting and licking her face, which elicited excited toddler squeals, only encouraging the dogs' continued attention. Sophia's big sister, Julie Teeger, smiled as she stepped onto her grandfather's back deck, knowing Sophia would not be left to such a slobbery dousing if their father was present.

"Can I get you a beer?" Jack asked his neighbor and Peaches owner, Bob Sanders.

Bob wiped his brow, thankful for the shade of the large porch umbrella on Jack's back deck. "No thank you. My doc is keeping me off of alcohol and caffeine until he can get the pacemaker in."

"How about some nice cold lemonade then?" asked Julie, an ice-filled pitcher in her hand.

"That would be great, sweetheart," said Bob. "Thank you."

Ambrose flipped one of the steaks cooking on the grill. "How much longer before you get the surgery?"

"Doc's hoping to do it by the end of next month," said Bob with a sip of his drink.

Jack waved away a fly. "I saw that real estate guy over at your house yesterday. Is he still trying to get you to sell?"

Bob leaned back in his chair. "You mean Brian? I don't know what he wants. He hasn't brought it up lately, but sometimes I think he's trying to butter me up before he asks again."

Julie returned with a tossed salad, which she placed on the deck table. "Why does he want you to sell?"

"I don't know. He's an investor, and he seems to think my house is worth a lot of money."

"Is your house as old as this one?" She picked up Sophia and moved her to a booster seat.

"It was built in 1850, a year earlier than your grandfather and uncle's house here. I know it's a historic home, and there's a trend where people are buying these older homes and fixing them up, but he's offering well over what it's appraised for."

"Why don't you want to sell?" she asked while cleaning the protesting toddler with a wet wipe.

Bob took another sip of the cold lemonade. "I just don't want to move. I grew up in that house, and I plan to pass it on to my son, Derek."

Jack set down his beer. "So, what has he been doing? You said you thought maybe he was trying to butter you up."

"Well, for one, he took me out for a really nice seafood dinner a couple of weeks ago, then he took me to a Giants game. He said he has season tickets, but I know those aren't cheap. Then yesterday, he showed up with a signed Louis L'Amour novel. I guess he got it at an antique auction, and he gave it to me because I mentioned in passing that I have a collection of his works.

Ambrose closed the lid of the grill. "He sounds really nice to me."

"Yeah, he's nice," said Bob, but it's strange too. Besides all that, he calls every couple of days just to shoot the breeze. I mean, he's young and successful. What does he want with an old guy like me? I just can't believe my house is worth all the bother."

"Sounds suspicious to me too," said Jack. He turned to look at Julie. "Will your mom and dad be back tomorrow?"

"Yes, they plan to be back tomorrow afternoon."

"I'll tell you what," said Jack. "You know my son, Adrian is a detective. I'll ask him to check into this guy when he gets back from his anniversary trip. Maybe he can figure out what your real estate friend is up to."

Bob smiled, his face visibly relaxing for the first time that evening. "Thanks. I would really appreciate it. I was beginning to think I was just being paranoid."

"If anyone can figure it out, Adrian can," said Ambrose, carrying a tray piled high with savory steaks and fluffy baked potatoes.

Mouths watered as he placed it in the middle of the table.

"This looks great, son," said Jack. "Let's eat."